BJP or Cong, who will clinch Ist phase of Gujarat polls?

Ahmedabad, Dec 13: The wait is over. On Thursday, Dec 13, Gujarat is voting for the first phase of assembly elections. A total of 87 seats will go to polls in the first phase. The first phase is crucial for both ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Congress. Poll pundits have predicted that Chief Minister Narendra Modi will make a hat-trick by winning the elections. But poll results will say who will win the elections?

Gujarat Assembly Elections 2012 are divided into two phases. The second phase is slated on Dec 17. The counting will take place on Dec 20. Gujarat has 182 assembly constituencies.

Along with Congress and BJP, the newly formed Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP)-led by former BJP leader and anti-Modi voice Keshubhai Patel is also playing an important role in the elections. Experts are saying Patel's party can prove spoil-sport for BJP.

Official sources say the voting will start at 21,261 polling booths at 8 am and culminate at 5 pm. Out of total 1.81 crore voters, 95.7 lakh are male and 86.02 lakh are female voters.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission said that all preparations have been completed for free and fair conduct of first phase of elections.

"The polling staffs have already reached polling booths with EVMs and other election-related materials. Adequate security arrangements have been made at all polling stations for free and fair elections," state's chief electoral officer Anita Karwal said.